Islamabad : If India has a right to impose its stance on “talks on terrorism only”, then Pakistan has a right to insist on its position too, said a top Pakistani lawmaker on Saturday following Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj’s statement in New Delhi.
Regarding the statement of Sushma Swaraj, Pakistan Information Minister Parvaiz Rashid said that Pakistan desires to discuss topics during the NSA level talks which it deems important.
He told Geo TV: “There has been no change in our position, it is India who has changed its position,” adding that if India remains committed to its original stance then talks will definitely commence.
The minister went on to say that National Security Advisor Sartaj Aziz is ready with his files and baggage to depart to India.
He added that besides participating in the NSA level talks, Sartaj will also be meeting Hurriyat leaders.
The information minister further said that whenever the talks take place, they will cover “all issues”, adding that in Ufa when the two prime ministers met, it was agreed that the talks would cover all matters.
Rashid also said that so far India’s invitation is still open and Sartaj is ready to go to Delhi unless India takes back its invitation at the last moment in which case it will be held accountable.
Sushma Swaraj said that India has not set any pre-conditions for the NSA level talks with Pakistan.
The Indian minister told reporters that NSA level talks were not part of the composite dialogue process and would only discuss the issue of terrorism. “In Ufa when the two prime ministers met there was no discussion on the composite or resumed dialogue.”